Beloved Actor Eric Dane passed away on Thursday, February 19, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

His family confirmed he spent his final days surrounded by close friends, his wife, and his daughters, Billie and Georgia, who meant everything to him.

They shared that he was deeply grateful for the love and support from fans and asked for privacy during this difficult time.

Born in San Francisco in 1972, Dane grew up in the Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

In the 1990s, he appeared in small roles on popular shows like Saved by the Bell, The Wonder Years, Roseanne, and Married… with Children.

He later had a recurring role on Gideon’s Crossing and made his film debut in The Basket.

He also appeared in films such as X-Men: The Last Stand, Marley & Me, and starred in Open Water 2.

On television, he played Jason Dean for two seasons on Charmed.

Dane became a household name through his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, famously nicknamed “McSteamy,” on Grey’s Anatomy.

First appearing in 2005, his character quickly became a fan favorite and series regular through Season 8.

He later returned for guest appearances, including a memorable comeback in Season 17.

ABC and 20th Television praised his remarkable talent and grace during his illness.

In recent years, Dane earned critical acclaim for portraying Cal Jacobs on Euphoria, beginning in 2019. The role showed a new depth to his craft, moving far beyond his earlier heartthrob image.

Series creator Sam Levinson described working with him as an honor, while HBO expressed gratitude for his powerful performances across multiple seasons.

Dane once said that working on Euphoria helped him finally see himself as an artist.

After publicly revealing his ALS diagnosis, Dane became an advocate for awareness and research, working with I Am ALS and supporting legislation and fundraising efforts.

He made it clear that if he was facing the end, he wanted to help others along the way.

Even in his final years, Dane continued acting in projects like Countdown, Borderline, and Kabul, showing dedication and courage in his work.

His legacy lives on through the characters he brought to life — from the unforgettable “McSteamy” to the deeply conflicted Cal Jacobs — and through the strength he showed both on and off screen.